  Pmardo Member Username: Pmardo Post Number: 38 Registered: 03-2006 |
Have there ever been any youth hostels in or around Detroit? Do forum members think that a youth hostel could feasibly work in Detroit? Is the national/international interest enough to provide a market? What to do about locals wanting to use it as transitional housing? Any buildings that would function well? Just thinking about post-graduation business-venture ideas with my friends...One idea would to make it part of the hostelling international network to increase visibility and provide a name travelers recognize and trust. Thanks for any help, pmardo | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 191 Registered: 08-2004 |
There used to be a sign on the town-pump building, but who knows how old that was. In the early-mid 1990's there were a few HI-USA Hostels in the state. But it dosen't look like there are any longer. Here is a link http://www.hiusa.org/usa-hoste ls/index.shtml There was an office on Coolidge in Berkley, The sign is still up but I don't know if they are still at that location. Here is the link to the Michigan Council http://www.hi-michigan.org/ As far as I know HI is a not-for-profit organization. So you might have to look into setting up a private hostel. (Message edited by leland_palmer on December 02, 2006) | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 192 Registered: 08-2004 |
If found this for you in their online newsletter (The Beacon) "The Sleeping Bear Dunes Hostel project was officially put on hold, with a letter from our Council to the National Park Service there. With many delays by the Park Service as they develop a new general management plan, to be completed in 2009, and with our need to focus on just three goals this year, to be effective, it didn’t seem feasible to pursue the hostel project at this time. Efforts to find local leaders in the Traverse City area did not provide results, either. We were told that Federal Funds to preserve the farmhouses is to come forth in 2011. Perhaps at that time, if there is a group who wants to pursue the hostel, it will be taken up again. There is a possibility of an effort to start a hostel in downtown Detroit. Some initial feasibility work is being done. If it proceeds, we will post all news on the website." | ||
Pmardo Member Username: Pmardo Post Number: 39 Registered: 03-2006 |
Thanks, leland. Looks like the Michigan organization is more fo a travel club than hostel developer/manager. I wonder where they were looking downtown? | ||
Aschar76 Member Username: Aschar76 Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2006 |
Looks like they setup right behind the Fort street post office on the river’s edge check this pic out from Saturday. Not sure how many can lodge nice view and plenty of running water.  | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2006 |
what about the location of I think it is the YWCA near the Town Pump? Not sure what sorts of condition that building is in. | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 463 Registered: 04-2006 |
The YWCA is long gone, that was near the YMCA both were ripped down for the STADII. I've heard some scuttlebutt about the old Children's Museum being turned into a Hostel. I can remember going there as a boy and the monkey they had, anyone else remember the monkey? | ||
Dhugger Member Username: Dhugger Post Number: 109 Registered: 03-2005 |
Good idea Pmardo. I know relatives who travel via youth hostel and others in the ELDER HOSTEL communities. With the aging demographic I wonder if you could combine the two types of accommodations? With music and club life for the young travelers then casinos & culture for the elder hostel. | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 193 Registered: 08-2004 |
The Hotel Vermont on Columbia would be a perfect location. However I don't think it's long for this world. It would suck to put money in it and have it claimed though eminent domain.  http://fadeddetroit.com | ||
Wsukid Member Username: Wsukid Post Number: 154 Registered: 06-2004 |
Wayne State is close to a deal with hostelling international to put a new hostel in the old DPS childrens museum on Kirby near CCS. Here is the article from the South End. http://thesouthend.typepad.com /tsenews/2006/10/hostel_a_poss ib.html | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1764 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks, Wsukid!!! That would put the historic Scherer Home to good use!!! Although I have no idea what the interior looks like, this building is a relatively unknown gem, both architecturally (built c.1906, designed by John Scott, architect) and historically (Robert Pauli Scherer invented the gel-encapsulating machine that is used worldwide in the pharmaceutical and other industries). http://www.michmarkers.com/pag es/S0563.htm http://www.detroit1701.org/Sch ererHome.htm | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 477 Registered: 04-2006 |
hmm didn't I mention that a few days ago?? | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1765 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yes, you did....and Wsukid gave it more credence with the published article in the South End. There's a difference between scuttlebut and something published, even if to confirm the unconfirmed!!! And I just shared more info on the original Scherer House (later the Children's Museum) thinking should the building be used for the Hostel site, that a historic site will be put to good use rather than continue to sit unoccupied. Anything wrong with that? |
